Who I am in Christ

Have you ever been criticized so harshly that the pain knocked the breath right out of you? I lived in a household where this was part of the daily routine! One day a godly woman said to me, “Whenever you are criticized, consider the source and that will help you monitor your reaction.” I thought a long time about the expression, “consider the source,” and I became so excited about this fact: God, who knows me through and through, still chose me for Himself.

God’s foreknowledge did not keep Him from choosing a sinner like me. Without foreknowledge, people make some serious mistakes - but God, who is all-knowing, never makes mistakes and is never caught off guard. This all-knowing God did not choose against me, but for me.

Whenever I am criticized, I first ask the Lord to show me any aspect of the criticism that may be truth, so I can repent and let Jesus transform that blindspot in my life. When the criticism contradicts something that Jesus says about me, I choose to value Jesus’ opinion rather than peoples opinions. Whatever people say about me, I accept but lay the comments alongside Jesus’ biographical sketch of me—that is where I live, rest, and have confidence. Jesus’ biographical sketch for one of His girls would read something like this:

• She is chosen and dearly loved by Me (1 Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12).
• She is a child of Mine, part of My family (Romans 8:15-16).
• She is free to call Me, Daddy (Galatians 4:6).
• She was on My mind before I spoke the worlds into existence (2 Timothy 1:9).
• She is one of a kind, custom designed by Me (Ephesians 2:10).
• She is getting better with every passing moment (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• She is part of a royal calling and responsibility (1 Peter 2:9-10).
• She is an heir of an unshakeable kingdom (Galatians 4:6-7; Hebrews 12:28).
• She is aware of her enemy, but is dauntless (1 Peter 5:8).

The next time someone speaks to you in a harsh and critical manner, just pause and think: Excuse me, do you know with whom you are speaking? That thought always puts a smile on my face, which puzzles the one who will slay me verbally.

Why do we continue to allow people’s rejection to control us more than the acceptance that we have received from God Almighty through Jesus??? In face of all this, what is there left to say? If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?

Written by: Jackie Kendall; copyright virtuousreality.com